Recently, it was reported that the question of internet service providers and online privacy is more complicated than it may seem at first glance. Many social networking sites like Facebook require their users to sign up with their real names, which some say makes it easier to be watched by government agencies.
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, seemed to echo that sentiment in a recent interview with Hong Kong reporters, in which he stated that the internet has become "the most significant surveillance machine that we have ever seen". But some say that the requirement of real names is not the root of the issue.
The aim of most social media sites is to keep in touch with those on your friend list by posting to that list. And it's what some are choosing to post that is causing concern for many. Much personal information is being shared by individuals; look through the lists of posts from your friends on any given day, and you may see information about their neighborhood, children and places traveled to posted and spread throughout interconnected newsfeeds. This information can be put together like the pieces of a puzzle over time, and be used by anyone for any purpose.
But could there also be some redemption for society as a whole with the requirement to use real names? Studies have found that incidences of online harassment, including homophobic and racist remarks occur far less when an individual is required to post using their real name.
That's because it's been proven that the attachment of a legitimate identity to online postings carries with it a sense of responsibility. When you know your name will be revealed, chances are you will think twice about what it is you are posting before you hit the 'submit' button.
On the other side of the coin, the posts of those who use pseudonyms contain a much higher amount of indecent language, threats and hurtful statements. Cyberbullies will often use pseudonyms to harass their targets, sometimes with deadly consequences, such as a teenager who commits suicide due to a large number of anonymous online attacks on social media sites.
The government cannot regulate that everyone use their real names, as this goes against first amendment rights. In light of this fact, many sites are taking it upon themselves to require their members or guests post with a real name and not a pseudonym.
Some sites are taking this a step further in saying that all sites that offer users the opportunity to comment should require that all sign up with legitimate information before they post in order to prevent harassing and racist comments.
Although some site owners believe this will help to make the internet a more civil environment, others feel that this is only a band-aid to a problem that won't go away that easily. After all, Big Brother is still watching. And so the more real information you post online, the more information that others can procure from your messages.
Some solutions begin with the user. Ask yourself whether you really need to tell the world that your whole family will be out of the country for a month. And when you get the urge to respond to an article with anger, remember that the ability to comment on a piece is not a right; it's a privilege.
It may also serve you to think of yourself as a guest at each web site you visit, much like when you visit someone's home. Would you walk in the door and start insulting the way the homeowner has arranged their flowers or the color of their curtains? Probably not.
With the networks of internet service providers increasing rapidly, we will soon be a very well-connected, and much smaller world.
Ruth Suelemente is dedicated to helping consumers save money on their high speed internet service plan through the use of resources available on the internet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruth_Suelemente
No comments:
Post a Comment